One reader asked for the references used by Pitre in support of his ‘return from Exile’ theory.
First he cites Josephus, Ant. 11.113 which, with a bit more context, runs as follows:
‘When Ezra had received this letter, he was very joyful, and began to worship God, and confessed that he had been the cause of the king's great favour to him, and that for the same reason he gave all the thanks to God. So he read the letter at Babylon to those Jews that were there; but he kept the letter itself, (132) and sent a copy of it to all those of his own nation that were in Media; and when these Jews had understood what piety the king had toward God, and what kindness he had for Ezra, they were all greatly pleased; nay, many of them took their effects with them, (133) and came to Babylon, as very desirous of going down to Jerusalem; but then the entire body of the people of Israel remained in that country; therefore there are but two tribes in Asia and Europe subject to the Romans, while the ten tribes are beyond Euphrates till now, and are an immense multitude, and not to be estimated by numbers’ (11:131-133, italics Josephus. Obviously.)He adds: ‘Unlike the Babylonian exiles, the ten tribes of the northern kingdom had never returned to the promised land. Because of this, many Jews at the time of Jesus were still waiting for their return’ (34).
He also rather illuminatingly notes Isa 11:10-16, Jer 23:5-8 and Ezek 37:15-28 in this context – OT texts which ‘envision the Return from Exile as a restoration of all twelve tribes’ (37).
Fascinating.
9 comments:
Congrats! And I look forward to the next 4000
Danke, just 3998 to go ...
This book is up for volunteers to review it at RBL, you should do so.
Danny
It's hard to believe you had 400 times when you didn't have something better to do. (To say nothing of the scores of times I've hit the site...which means I had nothing...well never mind.)
In a related line, there are some postexilic Scriptures in the OT which seem to open up the idea of continuing exile, yes? Daniel comes to mind. Note the quote from Williamson, WBC Ezra-Nehemiah, on the Israel story summary in Nehemiah 9, p. 316-7:
"In discussion above regarding the structure of the three cycles that conclude the long historical retrospect, it was observed that the elements of a cry to God for help and what follows it [redemption/relief] were lacking in the third cycle, vv 29-31. The reason for this now becomes apparent. It was suggested that v. 30 brought us down to the period of the exile. Not considering that the restoration from that severe judgment was yet complete, our author could not record the historical fulfillment of the final cycle but rather includes himself and his contemporaries within it as he here actualizes the cry for help in words of confession, petition and lament which arise from his present situation (cf. Gilbert, "Nehemie 9," Torah au Messie, 313)."
HGMW interprets this passage along the lines of recapitulation (Exodus and other restorations), so perhaps continuing exile is not in view. But this was a good speed typing exercise anyway...
Hi Danny,
I would love to but I probably have too much on my hands already. Still, I'm tempted! Thanks for the tip!
Thanks, JB, for that quote. Perhaps you could take up the RBL offer Danny mentioned?
Permission requested to steal your summary for a footnote in a research paper.
Hi Jonathan, Be my guest. Much of the text is Pitre's from pages 34 and 37 as I note.
Vielen dank!
Thanks, Anon
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